Lopez Blogs

VanShe - V:

Question: Is it Van SHE with the emphasis on the second syllable or VANshe rhymes with banshee? Anyway! It's the album that has been far too long in the making. Since the release of their debut EP in 2005, VanShe have kept fans titillated and teased with the delayed release of their debut album, but whether you are a long term fan or a newbie to the band, it - on the whole - does not disappoint. It's an eclectic mix of sounds and styles that inhabit the disc - from industrial beats to summery pop vocals to alternative rock, there is definitely almost something for everyone. It's getting everyone to like the whole package that might be tricky. The easiest way to start this review is to look at the three singles released so far from the disc. Cat and the Eye has a laid back groove with an almost experimental middle eight that launches into some sonic guitar work, yet the pop vocals continue to shine through. Changes has a great melody underscoring it, and clearly the influence of tour buddies, French band Daft Punk is baked into the core of this challenging pop tune - challenging in that it isn't your out and out instant pop smash, but it is definitely rewarding with a great chorus with subtle harmonies. Strangers is a synth filled, 80s homage paying pop smash that has one of their most soaring choruses to date - a chorus that highlights this isn't just a vocally driven group; the instruments are given equal place in the importance of the song as are the computer effects that make this song so appealing. And of course, the well known Kelly is a delightful addition to the album. It's an 80s Melt With You movie soundtrack song waiting to happen as this generation's Molly Ringwald runs from the prom in the rain, her heart breaking as her corsage falls down the sewer. It's that type of song, and one that quite rightly catapulted them into the limelight.

I practically floated listening to It Could Be The Same so laid back and spacey is the track despite it's fuzzy guitar sounds and rollicking chorus. It's one track that makes me feel they have a very slight over reliance on restrained verses and power choruses. It works well in certain songs but could get to be overkill if they use it too much. No matter- tracks like indie tastic The Sea which has some excellent drum work that is going to rock live and the stripped back beauty of A Sharp Knife show there is plenty of creativity in these boys yet. They could certainly build a strong live following should they tour the UK, and they are welcome to stay at my place if they need somewhere to crash :P There were four in the bed and the little one said....
Potential (UK) Singles: Kelly, Strangers, Changes, Cat and The Eye

The Script - The Script:

It's probably a good representation of everything Script that they are allegedly writing for Leona Lewis. For like the preordained goddess of reality tv, The Script are quite good indeed but not particularly exciting. Still, they have produced a perfectly decent debut album that is brimming with melodies and sweet vocals, polished off by smooth production values. It's an album that may be performed by the Irish, but is certainly LA at heart. Again, the easiest place to start is with their singles. Free download song Before The Worst spits out the verses in a manner that is reminiscent of One Republic before that soaring chorus that details the good times in a relationship before it all turns to shit. Lovely piano and Danny's striking vocal made this a good introduction to the band that deserved a wider platform in the UK top 40. Luckily that was to come with the epic first single proper We Cry - there are definite elements of rock and r'n'b, a formula that has certainly stood my beloved Maroon 5 in good stead. The verses are far more reminiscent of Jason Mraz's Wordplay than the U2-meets-Timbaland label that plagues the band and that sits far more comfortably with me than giving tired Timba a minute more publicity than he needs. It's The Man Who Can't Be Moved that has caught the attention of the nation. It's a lovely song, with an effortlessly flowing midtempo groove and, like many of The Script's songs deals with either coming to terms with failed relationships or falling in love. "I'm not moving" works well as a forlorn refrain and is perhaps the prettiest ballad of this genre since Won't Go Home Without You.

There are at least a couple more singles hidden within the album. Rusty Halo would make a decent change of pace from Man Who Can't Be Moved, and percolates nicely in an 80s rock sort of way. I'm pretty sure Danny should be sporting a poodle perm singing this song. It's very Men At Work (which could probably be a porn website nowadays). The highlight of the album is the lyrically intense Talk You Down - about "relationship suicide" and how people can often only work through their problems if they do it together. It's a pulsating song, that gives an additional urgency to the vocal delivery and everything about it works perfectly. There are a couple of misses on the album - If You See Kay is pretty unnecessary, and final ballad I'm Yours veers a little too close to More Than Words for comfort. And therein lies the problem. There's an awful lot of potential within the Script, and most of this is great. One can't help wish it was a little less scripted though. Perhaps they'll really shine forth on their second album...
Potential singles: Before The Worst, We Cry, Man Who Can't Be Moved, Talk You Down, Rusty Halo
MP3 Bonus: Their cover of Lose Yourself.

other man band albums I am looking forward to...

• Travis - Ode to J.Smith
• Keane - Perfect Symmetry
• Kaiser Chiefs - Off With Their heads
• The Killers - Day and Age (?)

I haven't been to Australia. I plan to go very soon, but it's quite pricey and frankly I like my leg room so until i can fly at least business class (you get a better class of blow job from the male cabin crew) or go on one of those flat bed things you see in futuristic movies (DazPecs informs me those futuristic movies are actually commercials) the trip is in my mind only. Though I fully expect room and board from Adem, Ben and Mike who have introduced me to many a great and sometimes trashy pop-oz act over the years. Here are some of my current favourites...

VanShe ~ Strangers:
Oh this is very good indeed. A plunking bass guitar leads into glockenspiel-esque sounds and then the hypnotic voice kicks in with the brilliant opening line "You can blind me with your fosse lips". Like every good pop song, it just keeps getting better until the chorus kicks in and then you are in heaven. The vocal just glides around the music and the punchy beat evokes memories of hazy nights in a smokey nightclub. It is all quite glorious - the electric guitar in the middle 8 and the fuzzy vocal effects are deliriously delicious and then it's back to that 80s meet 00s chorus that i have a feeling will be very hard to get bored of. Oh VanShe ~ I'm not done with you yet (see what I did there?!)
Link: Much more Van She here and here

Axel Whitehead ~ I Don't Do Surprises:
Considering Axel is not averse to a bit of exhibitionism, his single is surprisingly restrained. That's not a bad thing - it's not all about getting your willy out you know. You have to know how to deliver the goods and this song certainly does that. Axel has a great cruisy vocal that floats around a demure melody and a soaring chorus. It's actually a lovely summery laid back pop tune and it reminds me a tiny bit of Chris Martin if he would lighten up a bit. Having said all that, I'd love to see what Axel can do if he just lets rip. Willies at the ready then...
Link: More Axel here

The Presets ~ This Boys in Love:
Ooo this is a bit intense after the other two. It reminds me vaguely of sadly failed British act Protocol (remember them? no? Boo you whores) and perhaps I like it even more after Adem's hilarious interview with the boys on his site. Not averse to a bit of gay flirting and bro-mancing, the song is a relentless electro beat with a powerful vocal delivery and some lovely plinky plonky (yes that's a technical term!) piano sounds littered carefully throughout this groovy tune. Fancy things a bit swirled around? Then be sure to check out the remixes of the song - Kims remix is particularly funky. I haven't heard anything of the boys beyond this, but I will be popping off to investigate the first album right now. For infact I have decided that they are like a more productive Dangerous Muse :P
Link: The Presets can be found here

More ozpop that I quite like right now...

• Vanessa Amorosi ~ Perfect
• Cut Copy ~ Hearts on Fire
• Delta Goodrem ~ You Will Only Break My Heart
• Muscles ~ Sweaty